Aggregate information production and display system

ABSTRACT

A production system for packaging aggregates of mixed media information (e.g. text, images, audio, and video) into addressable packets which are transmitted to receivers over a satellite network, with the information aggregates (IA&#39;s) displayed and arranged for use via an associated Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) file, or other such displays language file and associated interpreter. The HTML file, when interpreted and displayed, would provide an organized and easy to access presentation of the mixed-media files transmitted over the satellite network, whereby textual and graphic descriptions could be used to describe the file contends and HTML buttons would allow playback and/or viewing of the linked file information. The HTML file might also include a link to communications software for enabling data dialog with a site external to the receiving station. One example link would include software for a telephone connection. This connection could direct the transmission source station to send more information, as needed. Still other links would allow software stored locally at the receiving station to be accessed and used. A link might also be provided via the internet to external URL addresses. The IA groups and packets would also be useful for distributed, distant teaching systems, with feedback from the receiving sites provided through the communications link to the source station.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application is a non-provisional application claimingpriority of provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/097,903, filed Oct.9, 1996.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[0002] Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The software files utilized to implement the preferred embodimentof the present invention are provided in printed form and are attachedas Appendices A, B and C. This software is used to implement theinvention on equipment available from Starguide, Inc., of Reno, Nev.This software directly corresponds to software submitted on Disks A, Band C of the parent application.

[0004] The software and technology presented herein is a furtherimprovement of the technology disclosed in the Applicant's co-pendingapplication “Audio File Distribution and Production System,” filed Sep.1, 1995 as a provisional provisional application, Serial No. 60/003,164;and file don Aug. 30, 1996 as a non-provisional application, Serial No.__/______ (Attorney Docket 10952US02).

[0005] All of the software appendices A, B, and C referenced above,along with the above-referenced papers—provisional and non-provisionalapplications along with their referenced incorporations andappendices—are expressly incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties.

[0006] This invention relates to a software production system forpackaging aggregates of information into addressable packets which aretransmitted to receivers over a satellite network, with the informationaggregates (IA's) displayed and arranged for use via an associatedHypertext Markup Language (HTML) file, or other such display languagefile and interpreter. The HTML file would include a link to software forproviding a low-cost communication link from the receiving station (orstations) back to the transmitting station. An example low-cost (andconsequently low throughput) link would include a software link fortelephoning and, for instance, directing the transmission source stationto send more information as needed. This telephone linkup might alsoconnect to other external telephonic sources. Alternatively, otherlow-cost links might be used to remedy asymmetrical data link problemsexisting between satellite transmission and receiving stations.

[0007] Satellite networks are used to transmit large quantities ofinformation from a transmission station to an orbiting satellite whichrelays the transmission back down to a variety of receiving stations.Such digital information can include, for example, text, photographs,audio, video, and/or animation. While satellite transmission has beenrecognized as an efficient method for distributing such diverseinformation, organization of such varied media has presented problems.Generally a receiver of such varied media must sort out and discern thepurpose of each file and the requisite playback or viewing tool to usewith each particular file. Thus, while a user may receive a file orgroup of files over the satellite transmission network, follow-upprinted documentation, or even a live representative, must often arriveseparately in order to explain and organize the files sent. This isbecause satellite receivers are generally one-way data collectionsystems, and generally cannot send information via satellite back to thetransmitting station. While separate satellite transmitters might existat a receiver station, this is generally an expensive communicationmethod and requires the extra satellite transmission hardware andrelated upkeep.

[0008] Accordingly, companies such as SONY NETWORKS, or TM CENTURY, willsend audio information and other such files to satellite receivingstations which are owned and/or controlled by entities such as radio ortelevision, stations. The receiving station might be a subscriber of theabove mentioned companies' services, or the transmitting company may betrying to solicit new business. In either instance, the receivingstation has been designated to receive downloaded information in theform of computer files which might include, for instance, sound bytesfrom a new record, or sound effects for possible use on a radio show, orvideo clips for use on the news. In the past, such files have beendownloaded and identified by letter/number identifiers typicallyassociated with the naming of each file on the computer's operatingsystem. The user must then sort through and organize the variousinformation, categorizing the source of the downloaded information, theplayback media, and the topic to which it relates. For a radio ortelevision station that constantly receives information, thisorganizational problem is greatly compounded.

[0009] Methods and computer languages exist which are designed toorganize, display, and link together information from a variety ofdifferent playback and display media. One such language is HypertextMarkup Language (HTML) which is used to display “web pages” on theinternet. This language, however, has not been used to organize anddisplay different types of media information transmitted over asatellite network to receiving stations. An HTML page can therefore bedeveloped to identify and link together various media files which havebeen transmitted with the HTML page, or are known to exist on thereceiving station's computer storage medium. Organization of the filesis thereby provided by textual or graphical orientation of the HTMLpage, or pages. The various media files can then be convenientlyaccessed via clicking on a button or textual area which has been linkedto the file.

[0010] Accordingly, what is needed in the field is a system which willproduce organized information groups and packets for the transmissionand display of satellite information consisting of aggregate media fileswhich are transmitted to a receiving station. An HTML page, forinstance, might provide links to files which are transmitted with thepage. The HTML page might also provide links to playback software (e.g.MUSICAM) and/or other files already associated with the receivingstation. The HTML page might alternatively provide a software link to atelephone connection which could provide data dialog with an externalsite. The telephone connection might be used to call the satellitetransmission station to further direct the transmission source totransmit more and/or different information to the receiving station, orto a group of stations.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] The present invention provides a satellite production and displaysystem, and associated software, for organizing various pieces ofinformation into an information aggregate (IA) group and IA packet whichare then transmitted and received over a satellite network. Such IApackets would be generated by “producer” stations or terminals. The IAgroup consists of an HTML page or pages, along with associated mediafiles which are referenced and linked by, for instance, HTML page. An IApacket consists of an IA group which has been “packaged” for delivery toa particular satellite receiver destination, or a collection ofsatellite receivers. Such receiving stations can be dynamically groupedand re-grouped according, for instance, to their nature (e.g. sportsradio stations) and/or data needs. The HTML page, when interpreted bythe receiving station, would present textual and/or graphicalexplanations of the data that has been sent with transmission. The usermight then use a pointing device, such as a mouse, to “click-on” orchoose a particular audio, video, picture, or text file that isassociated, or linked, with the HTML page.

[0012] This information production and display system thereby allows aproducer station to carefully generate, organize, and/or choreograph thepresentation of a set of media files to be transmitted to a receivingsatellite station. For example, the producer user's distinctive logomight appear prominently across the top of the page. Animated text orgraphical characters might be added for emphasis, as desired. Theproducer might then graphically or textually describe each audio, video,or pictorial clip which has been sent with the HTML page and provide anassociated mouse button. The user can scan down the HTML page and hearor view only those items of interest. For instance, a record companymight transmit promotional about an upcoming album to be released by aparticular artist. Information about the album and album cover could begraphically displayed to a receiver such as a radio station. Below thecover, different album tracks could be textually described with anassociated HTML mouse button for access and playback of that particularalbum track, or portion thereof, which is located in an associated audiofile.

[0013] In yet another example, an advertiser might send a commercialspot to a radio or television station, but would provide specificinstructions (e.g. textual, audio, video) on when and how the commercialis to be played. For instance, certain commercials are only suited forcertain times of day. Other commercials should not be played directlybefore or after a competitor's advertisement. The present system wouldallow, for example, a convenient method for organizing and presentingsuch instructions, and would also allow the receiving station toconveniently preview the material by clicking on a mouse button linkedto the audio or video file.

[0014] In still another example, a company which sells sound bytes,sound effects, or video clips to subscriber stations could organize theclips with a textual description of each clip. The receiving stationcould then quickly scan through and sample the material sent in decidingwhether to use or purchase the material from that particular producer ofthe IA group and packet.

[0015] In the present embodiment, the HTML page has specially createdsoftware links which use MUSICAM software for playing such audio clips.MUSICAM is a registered trademark of Corporate Computer Systems (CCS),Inc. which is a subsidiary of Starguide Digital networks, Inc. SuchMUSICAM software, as copyrighted and available from CCS and Starguideprovides much more dynamic and accurate playback quality thanconventional computer playback methods. Such MUSICAM software wouldreside in memory at each local receiving station instead of beingdownloaded repeatedly. Other such software players or viewers for audio,pictorial, and video files could similarly be stored and linked forrapid playback of any file type by the receiving station.

[0016] Internet “web page” applications using HTML typically link oneweb page to yet another web page through connection to a universalresource locator or URL address. Such URL's contain the next picture,page, or text to be downloaded according to the web page's HTMLinstructions. As one option, the present application might also providesuch URL links to internet locations via a telephone connection to theinternet.

[0017] More importantly, the HTML page of the present invention wouldprovide a software connection to a low-cost communication medium wherebyexternal sites—such as the source transmission station—could becontacted and a dialog when ensue. Low-cost links generally imply alower throughput than satellite transmission rates. However, what isneeded is some connection between receiving station and, for example,the transmitting station, which is convenient to use, low-cost toacquire, and low-cost to operate. While the present invention embodiesthe use of any such low-cost link as implemented using a variety of datatransfer techniques, the following example details the use of atelephone as one such convenient, low-cost data link.

[0018] Hence, a telephonic linkup could be used to contact any of anumber of sites external to the receiving station. One such telephonelinkup would include calls directed back to the satellite transmissionsource. The satellite transmissions, in this case, are one-way broadcasttransmissions from a source station to a receiving station or group ofstations. While permitting relatively high throughputs of data to betransmitted to a vast number of receiving stations, there generallyexists no low-cost and convenient feedback mechanism from the receiverstation back to the transmitting station. Such a telephone linkup wouldprovide a low throughput, yet inexpensive feedback connection betweenthe receiving and the transmitting station. A low-level data dialogcould exist thereby facilitating a request for the transmission of new,or different, data to the receiving unit. Alternatively, such a datalink might, for example, facilitate registration of a user as a newsubscriber to a data service, or confirm a user's acceptance of the mostrecently sent materials from such a data service.

[0019] The present invention would also prove to be extremely usefulwith distributed teaching systems whereby teaching or instructionalmaterials are distributed from a central location to various remotelocations. In one instance, a training manual with linked textual,audio, and video portions could be transmitted to many remote receivingstations. Alternatively still, one receiving station might receive thetraining material and distribute it for viewing via a LAN network.Furthermore, “live” training sessions with intermixed audio and videoportions could be centrally distributed. The low throughput phonefeedback might then be used for student feedback or questions with theteacher thereby interactively serving many remote locations andstudents. The training manual and associated software might alsoautomatically sense the training “path” taken by the user, and transmita request for the next set of informational data needed to proceedthrough a training session.

[0020] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to providean information production and display system, and related software, tofacilitate the organized satellite transmission, reception, display andaccess of information aggregates consisting of media data and files.

[0021] It is still another object of the present invention to provideproduction, or producer, software for the creation of HTML pages withlinked media files for transmission over a satellite network toreceiving stations.

[0022] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide forproduction of HTML pages with linked media files for transmission over asatellite network to receiving stations, with HTML links to MUSICAMsoftware located at the receiving station for playback of audio files.

[0023] It is still another object of the present invention to providefor production of HTML pages with linked media files for transmissionover a satellite network to receiving stations, with HTML links tosoftware stored at the receiving station for performing local actions.

[0024] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide forproduction of HTML page with linked media files for transmission over asatellite network to receiving stations, with HTML links to software forestablishing an external data link connection.

[0025] Still another object of the present invention is to provide forproduction of HTML pages with linked media files for transmission over asatellite network to receiving stations, with HTML links to software forestablishing an external data link connection such a telephonicconnection.

[0026] It is a further object of the present invention to provide forproduction of HTML pages with linked media files for transmission over asatellite network to receiving stations, with HTML links to software forestablishing an external connection such as a telephonic connection,with the telephone connection being made to the transmission sourcestation to further direct future transmissions.

[0027] It is a yet another object of the present invention to provideproduction of HTML pages with linked media files for transmission over asatellite network to receiving stations, with the pages serving asdistributed training materials.

[0028] It is a still another object of the present invention to providefor production of HTML pages with linked media files for transmissionover a satellite network to receiving stations, with the pages servingas distributed training materials, with HTML links to software forestablishing an external connection such as a telephone connection tothe transmission source, the training session thereby being interactive.

[0029] Other objects and advantages of this invention will becomeapparent from the following description taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration andexample, certain embodiments of this specification and include exemplaryembodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects andfeatures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030]FIG. 1 shows a block diagram for transmitting an informationaggregate (IA) packet from a satellite transmission station sourcecomputer to a plurality of satellite receiver station computers 1through n via a satellite relay.

[0031]FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of an information aggregate (IA)group as made up of an HTML page which displays and organizes the linkedaudio and picture files.

[0032]FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of another example informationaggregate consisting of a record promotional page.

[0033]FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of an HTML page with example links toa software telephone link, MUSICAM playback software, an HTML internetpage, or a file stored on the local receiver storage medium.

[0034]FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the producer software forgenerating an IA packet.

[0035]FIG. 6 shows a block diagram, as continued from FIG. 5, of thesatellite network for transmitting and receiving the resulting IApacket, the HTML interpreter and display, and the affiliate software forfacilitating links from the interpreted and displayed HTML page.

[0036]FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of an example training manual packetbeing received and distributed over a LAN network.

[0037]FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a training manual IA group with afirst and second path for training information.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0038] Referring now to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a satellitetransmission network is shown. A satellite transmission system 10 isshown comprised of a source central processing unit (CPU) 12 which isconnected to a memory storage means 14, typically a high density diskdrive unit. The transmission system includes a transmitter 16 and asatellite transmission antenna 18. The antenna 18 sends a signal 20 toan orbiting satellite 22. The satellite 22 relays the signal 20 to anorbiting satellite 22. The satellite 22 relays the signal 20 to one ofmany, e.g. 1 through n, satellite receiving stations 24, 26. Eachreceiving station has a receiver CPU 28, 30; a corresponding disk driveunit 32, 34; a corresponding receiver 36, 38; and satellite signalreceiving antenna 40, 42. As shown in this diagram, the informationaggregate (IA) packet 44, described below, is transmitted from the diskdrive 14 of the source station 10 to the plurality of receiving stations24, 26 and subsequently stored on the receiving station disk drives 32,34. Each packet 44 is structured to contain information on its intendedsatellite receiver destination. Accordingly, packets can be selectivelysent to a large group of receiving stations, e.g. only radio stationswith an “all news” format. Alternatively, a packet 44 might bestructured to be sent to only one particular receiving station, e.g. CBSnews in New York.

[0039] Referring now to FIG. 2, an information aggregate group 50 isshown which is comprised of a Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)organizational page or file 52, with an associated audio file 54,another associated audio file 56, and an associated picture file 58. Theinformation aggregate might consist of any such combination of mediafiles including, but not limited to text, audio, video, program, andanimation files.

[0040] Referring now to FIG. 3, a more detailed example of aninformation aggregate group 60 is shown. In this example, a recordcompany has created a promotional sheet for a new record by a particularartist. When the HTML file 62 is interpreted and displayed the resultwill appear like the display page 61 with the text and graphical boxesappropriately placed. The company has placed their name and logo 72across the top of the page 61. The picture file 64 is linked to appearat location 65. Text 67 describes the first audio track and HTMLsoftware “button” 69 links to and allows playback of the audio file 66.Similarly, text 73 and button 75 addresses and links the second audiofile 68, and text 74 and button 76 addresses and links the third audiofile. The IA group 60 thereby provides a convenient method fororganizing a series of media files in a textual and graphical formatwhich is aesthetically pleasing and easy to use.

[0041] Referring now to FIG. 4, an additional example of an HTML page 80is shown which might be used to organize media files into an IA group.In this example, the HTML link 82 is shown to access a variety ofexample linking options. The first option shows a link to software 84which would provide an external telephone connection 86. The secondoption shows a link to audio playback software 88 which would includeMUSICAM software which would reside in local memory 32, 34 of thereceiver stations 24, 26 of FIG. 1. The third option shows a link to anHTML page 90 on the internet, via a telephone connection and standardrelated software (e.g. NETSCAPE). As similar to the second option, thefourth option shows the link accessing a file or software stored inlocal memory 92 of the receiving station (see also 32, 34 of FIG. 1).This file might be an audio or video file which is access frequently inmany different applications, or a software program to perform alocalized action at the receiving station.

[0042] Hence, while previous applications and uses of HTML have used theHTML linking capability to connect to URL addresses, e.g. addresses ofother web pages and sites on the internet, the present invention teachesthe use of HTML to link together and use software programs, digitalfiles, and the link to organize, present, and use a variety of mixedmedia information. Accordingly, the options described for thisparticular link are for example purposes only; the preferred embodimentis not meant to be limited only to such example linking options, as manyothers options could be offered to facilitate organization of thetransmitted media files and data.

[0043] Referring now to FIG. 5, a block diagram is shown of the“producer” software 100 for generating an IA group 100 and subsequent IApacket 102. For example purposes, the IA packet 102 has been depicted asa filled, addressed, and stamped envelope. This analogy is accurate inthat the IA group 102 is packaged in a satellite transmittable formatwith an address tag and/or encoded key as to its receiver destination.The producer software 100 is thereby comprised of various capturesystems for digitizing information into files to be grouped. In thisexample, an audio capture system 106 such as MUSICAM can be used toconvert an analog audio signal 108 into a digital audio file 110. Aphoto or image capture system 112 such as a scanner can be used toconvert a photograph or image 114 into a digitized image file 116 (e.g.a *.gif file). A text capture system 118 can be used to convert text 120into digitized text file 122. Finally, a video capture system 124 can beused to convert a video segment 126 into a digitized video file 128.Other digital, animation, or program files might also be incorporated,as appropriate.

[0044] The files 110, 116, 122, and 128 are fed into an HTML authoringpackage 130. There are many such packages available, but the preferredembodiment uses MICROSOFT WORD with INTERNET ASSISTANT. This collectionof capture systems 106, 112, 118, and 124, along with the authoringpackage 130 form an information aggregate (IA) development tool 132.This development tool 132 generates the above described IA group 102. Apackager 134, such as that offered by MUSICAM EXPRESS, then takes the IAgroup 102 and creates the above described IA packet 104. As described inthe above incorporated patent applications, the packager 134 would bepart of a MUSICAM EXPRESS NETWORK comprised of numerous hubs andconnected producers.

[0045] Referring also to FIG. 6, the block diagram of FIG. 5 iscontinued from point “A”. In FIG. 6, the IA packet 104 is transferredand stored on the disk drive 140 which is connected to the source CPU142 of the transmission station 144. The associated transmitter 146 andsatellite antenna 148 is used to transmit the IA packet 104 to anorbiting satellite 150 which relays the IA packet 104 to an orbitingsatellite 150 which relays the IA packet 104 information signal to anappropriate receiver antenna 152 and receiver 154 of the receivingstation 156. The receiver CPU 158 processes and stores the received datain the receiver disk drive unit 160. An HTML interpreter 162 must nextbe used to interpret and display 164 the HTML page information andcorresponding links with the associated files. The preferred embodimentuses a MICROSOFT HTML Interpreter plug-in to the receiver CPU 158.

[0046] In displaying and interacting with the HTML page, the userinvokes the “affiliate” software 168. This software includes a userinterface 170 which in turn runs custom response software 172. Theresponse software 172 facilitates the various linking optionsexemplified in FIG. 4. As shown in this example, the user might choosebetween a telephone link 174, an internet link 176, or a local actionmodule 178.

[0047] As noted above, an important feature of the present invention isthe ability for the receiver station 156 to communicate, via a low-costlinkup such as telephone, back with the transmitting station 144. Asshown in fathom, a connection 180 can be made back to a modem 182 whichis connected to the source CPU 142. Again, the telephone linkup has alimited throughput due to the limited bandwidth of existing telephoneand modem data connections. While an ISDN connection will provide higherthroughputs, the telephone connection provides a low-level datadialog—as compared to satellite transmission rates—between the receiverstation and the transmitting station. This allows the receiving stationto provide feedback to the transmitting station and further direct datatransmission, as needed.

[0048] The internet would also provide a useful low-cost feedbackconnection due to the low-cost of gaining online access. Most internetproviders now offer fixed rates as low as $15-20 per month for unlimitedusage. Such a data connection might prove to be more cost effective thaneve a telephone linkup if the throughput levels of data were found to beacceptable for the user's purposes.

[0049] As mentioned above, any such low-cost linkup is intended to beembodied within the scope of this invention, and the examples presentedare not intended to be limit the invention to these particular linkingoptions.

[0050] The present invention would also be ideally suited fordistributed, or distant, teaching and training facilities. Using theproducer software 100 (See FIG. 5), an individual or company couldcreate a training manual which would consist of multiple HTML pages withlinks in the appropriate spots to video, audio, and textual information.Accordingly, a company could create and update one version of aparticular training manual and periodically send it out to sites acrossthe world. Each site could receive its own training manual packet 183and allow training to occur directly from the receiver CPU 28, 30 (SeeFIG. 1). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, a receiving station 181could receive the manual and distribute access to the receiver CPU 184an LAN connection 188 to multiple users 186.

[0051] The training manual or training course would likely consist of alarge volume of information which spans many HTML pages and linkstogether numerous graphical, audio, and video files. The manual willalso likely have different paths which a user can follow through thecomplex link of mixed-media information. As a result, it may not bepractical to group together and send the entire manual as an IA group orpacket. Instead, the manual would be produced in smaller IA groups orpackets. The telephone linkup 180, as shown in FIG. 6, could then beused to request the next set of information as it becomes needed by theuser. This would prevent the costly transmission of information whichthe user may not need, or even desire.

[0052] Referring also to FIG. 8, a block diagram of a portion of anexample training manual or IA grouping is shown. From the initial text190, the manual breaks off into a first path 192 and a second path 194.The already transmitted and acquired information might include theportion 196. If the user follows the first path 192, then a need existsfor the remaining information 198 as the user proceeds. Accordingly, thetelephone linkup 180, as discussed above, could be used to request atransmission to the receiving station of the information to be acquired198.

[0053] Similarly, other remote teaching systems might use the presentsystem. For instance, a teacher or professor in a central location couldsend IA groups to multiple teaching facilities. The grouping mightinclude video clips and audio clips about the topic of discussion whichcould be played, and replayed, by each receiving site. The telephonelinkup back to the transmitting site could then provide low-levelfeedback from students, such as textual questions and the link, wherebythe teacher would then respond to the question. The answer might comethrough the same telephone linkup, or the teacher might feel the need todirect an answer to the entire collection of receiving sites.

[0054] As discussed above, any type of information can be grouped andorganized together into the IA grouping. Such information might includeactual programs or computer software to be run by the receiving CPU. Oneconvenient way of sending such programs is through JAVA programs whichare placed inside the HTML page code. JAVA programs thereby allow theHTML page to run programs while being displayed to the user. This allowsmoving graphical patterns and the like to be used to enhance the HTMLpage. In the teaching example above, this would allow a physicsprofessor to send a program to show and perform a simulation between,for instance, two physical objects.

[0055] Numerous modifications may be made to the foregoing systemwithout departing from the basic teachings thereof. Although the presentinvention has been described in substantial detail with reference to oneor more specific embodiments, those of skill in the art will recognizethat changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope andspirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

1. A media distribution network comprising: a producer station fortransmitting an envelope of data, the envelope of data including aplurality of media files selected from the group consisting of an audiofile, a text file, and a video file, the envelope of data furtherincluding a mark-up language document having a plurality of tags eachrespectively associated with at least one of the plurality of mediafiles; a satellite for broadcasting the envelope; a plurality ofreceiving stations receiving the envelope from the satellite, each ofthe receiving stations locally storing the data of the envelope in arespective local storage medium, each of the plurality of receivingstations including means for accessing the mark-up language document,the mark-up language document providing means for accessing selectiveones of the plurality of media files via the plurality of tags.
 2. Amedia distribution network as claimed in claim 1 wherein the pluralityof media files comprises at least one audio file and the plurality oftags comprises at least one tag associated with the at least one audiofile, activation of the tag resulting in audio play of the audio file.3. A media distribution network as claimed in claim 1 wherein theplurality of media files comprises at least one video file and theplurality of tags comprises at least one tag associated with the atleast one video file, activation of the tag resulting in audio play ofthe video file.
 4. A media distribution network as claimed in claim 1wherein the mark-up language document is formatted as an HTML document.5. A media distribution network as claimed in claim 1 wherein themark-up language document further comprises a tag for accessing atelephone link.
 6. A media distribution network as claimed in claim 5wherein the mark-up language document further comprises a tag forrequesting a further mark-up language document over the telephone link.7. A media distribution network as claimed in claim 1 wherein themark-up language document itself includes or includes a tag to indiciadescribing content of the one or more media files.
 8. A mediadistribution network as claimed in claim 1 wherein the mark-up languagedocument itself includes or includes a tag to a company logo.
 9. Atransmitter for use in transmitting an envelope of data to a receivingstation for local storage by the receiving station, the transmittercomprising: a computer system storing the envelope of data, the envelopeof data including a plurality of media files selected from the groupconsisting of an audio file, a text file, and a video file, the envelopeof data further including a mark-up language document having a pluralityof tags each respectively associated with at least one of the pluralityof media files; an RF transmitter for modulating the envelope of datafor RF transmission.
 10. A transmitter as claimed in claim 9 wherein theplurality of media files comprises at least one audio file and theplurality of tags comprises at least one tag associated with the atleast one audio file, activation of the tag resulting in audio play ofthe audio file.
 11. A transmitter as claimed in claim 9 wherein theplurality of media files comprises at least one video file and theplurality of tags comprises at least one tag associated with the atleast one video file, activation of the tag resulting in audio play ofthe video file.
 12. A transmitter as claimed in claim 9 wherein themark-up language document is formatted as an HTML document.
 13. Atransmitter as claimed in claim 9 wherein the mark-up language documentfurther comprises a tag for accessing a telephone link.
 14. Atransmitter as claimed in claim 13 wherein the mark-up language documentfurther comprises a tag for requesting a further mark-up languagedocument over the telephone link.
 15. A transmitter as claimed in claim9 wherein the mark-up language document itself includes or includes atag to indicia describing content of the one or more media files.
 16. Atransmitter as claimed in claim 9 wherein the mark-up language documentitself includes or includes a tag to a company logo.
 17. A receiver forreceiving an envelope of data that has been modulated to RF, thereceiver comprising: a demodulator for demodulating the envelope ofdata; a computer system locally storing the envelope of data, theenvelope of data including a plurality of media files selected from thegroup consisting of an audio file, a text file, and a video file, theenvelope of data further including a mark-up language document having aplurality of tags each respectively associated with at least one of theplurality of media files, the computer system being operable to accessthe plurality of media files via the plurality of tags of the mark-uplanguage document.
 18. A receiver as claimed in claim 17 wherein theplurality of media files comprises at least one audio file and theplurality of tags comprises at least one tag associated with the atleast one audio file, activation of the tag resulting in audio play ofthe audio file.
 19. A receiver as claimed in claim 17 wherein theplurality of media files comprises at least one video file and theplurality of tags comprises at least one tag associated with the atleast one video file, activation of the tag resulting in audio play ofthe video file.
 20. A receiver as claimed in claim 17 wherein themark-up language document is formatted as an HTML document.
 21. Areceiver as claimed in claim 17 wherein the mark-up language documentfurther comprises a tag for accessing a telephone link.
 22. A receiveras claimed in claim 21 wherein the mark-up language document furthercomprises a tag for requesting a further mark-up language document overthe telephone link.
 23. A receiver as claimed in claim 21 wherein themark-up language document itself includes or includes a tag to indiciadescribing content of the one or more media files.
 24. A receiver asclaimed in claim 21 wherein the mark-up language document itselfincludes or includes a tag to a company logo.
 25. A data transmissioncomprising: a plurality of RF modulated data elements, the plurality ofRF modulated data elements including a plurality of media files selectedfrom the group consisting of an audio file, a text file, and a videofile, and a mark-up language document having a plurality of tags eachrespectively associated with at least one of the plurality of mediafiles.
 26. A data transmission as claimed in claim 25 wherein themark-up language document is formatted as an HTML document.
 27. A datatransmission as claimed in claim 26 wherein the mark-up languagedocument further comprises a tag for accessing a telephone link.
 28. Adata transmission as claimed in claim 27 wherein the mark-up languagedocument further comprises a tag for requesting a further mark-uplanguage document over the telephone link.
 29. A data transmission asclaimed in claim 25 wherein the mark-up language document itselfincludes or includes a tag to indicia describing content of the one ormore media files.
 30. A data transmission as claimed in claim 25 whereinthe mark-up language document itself includes or includes a tag to acompany logo.
 31. A media distribution system comprising: a producerstation for transmitting an envelope of data, the envelope of dataincluding a plurality of media files selected from the group consistingof an audio file, a text file, and a video file, the envelope of datafurther including a mark-up language document having a plurality of tagseach respectively associated with at least one of the plurality of mediafiles; a receiving station receiving the envelope, the receiving stationlocally storing the data of the envelope in a respective local storagemedium, the receiving station including means for accessing the mark-uplanguage document, the mark-up language document providing means foraccessing selective ones of the plurality of media files via theplurality of tags.
 32. A media distribution system as claimed in claim31 wherein the plurality of media files comprises at least one audiofile and the plurality of tags comprises at least one tag associatedwith the at least one audio file, activation of the tag resulting inaudio play of the audio file.
 33. A media distribution system as claimedin claim 31 wherein the plurality of media files comprises at least onevideo file and the plurality of tags comprises at least one tagassociated with the at least one video file, activation of the tagresulting in audio play of the video file.
 34. A media distributionsystem as claimed in claim 31 wherein the mark-up language document isformatted as an HTML document.
 35. A media distribution system asclaimed in claim 31 wherein the mark-up language document furthercomprises a tag for accessing a telephone link.
 36. A media distributionsystem as claimed in claim 35 wherein the mark-up language documentfurther comprises a tag for requesting a further mark-up languagedocument over the telephone link.
 37. A media distribution system asclaimed in claim 31 wherein the mark-up language document itselfincludes or includes a tag to indicia describing content of the one ormore media files.
 38. A media distribution system as claimed in claim 31wherein the mark-up language document itself includes or includes a tagto a company logo.